Wildfire would like to welcome authors Donna Michaels and Marie Rochelle.

Donna Michaels

Julie: When a new book comes out, are you nervous about how readers will react to it?

Donna: Hi, Julie. I'd like to thank you and ARe for taking the time to interview me.

Yes, when a new book comes out, I am nervous how a reader will react. I love each of my books. They have a part of me in them so they're sort of like a child. I want the reader to get as much enjoyment from them as I have.

Julie: How long have you been writing? What inspired you to pick the pen up one day and create characters that capture the imagination?

Donna: I have been writing for six years but had aspirations for over fifteen. When I was twenty-five, I started to write a contemporary romance with a heroine who had spunk. Back then, she was extremely rare and I was tired of young heroines who blushed and stammered right to the end of the book. But, I became pregnant with twins and put my writing on hold until all four of my children were in school full day.

Julie: What makes your characters so vulnerable yet strong? Can you describe them to us? What do you do when characters stop talking to you when writing?

Donna: My characters have to be real. They'll have a vulnerability and a flaw. My heroes are usually more Alpha than not but they are tortured, something in their past will eat at them and the heroine will be the only cure. Although, on occasion, I will write a Beta hero with a great sense of humor who knows exactly what he wants. He'll be very grounded.

If my characters stop talking I will play the 'what if' game and ask them what would you do if this happened or what would happen if you did this and it always motivates them or sparks another idea and the writing frenzy begins. lol

Julie: What about the heroines for these determined heroes? What makes them strong enough capture the hero's heart?

Donna: My heroines will have a vulnerability and flaw as well. Again, I like to keep my characters real. Their ability to conquer that flaw and push through their fear will spur the hero's admiration and increase his attraction to the woman he can't seem to keep his hands off. I do love to torture my heroes. It's good to be the author…hehe.

Julie: What do you feel is the most important thing that a first-time authors should know?

Donna: Becoming published is a long process. Sure, some will get a contract right out of the chute, but most won't and should take their rejections as a learning experience, hone their craft, write and submit again and again until they sign on the line. And even after they have their first, and are officially published, does not mean they know everything because this business requires constant learning and adapting to the market. But, that's one of the things I love most about writing, you're never bored and are always learning something new.

Julie: What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants, or a combination of both?

Donna: My writing process is a little bit of both. I use Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method. There are ten steps but I only do the first three. It fleshes out the Hero's and Heroine's goals, flaws, and the three disasters and dark moments in the story. Plus, it gives me the blurb and a short synopsis I can then flesh out into a full one when the time to submit comes around.

Julie: What genre do you want to try your hand at but haven't?

Donna: That's a good question. I've already written romantic comedy, vampires, werewolves, time shift, paranormal, sci-fi, suspense, action, cowboys, sweet and first person pov. I'll probably try erotica, but under a different pen name, of course.

Julie: What do you hope for your writing career in the next few years? Any goals that you have yet to obtain that you have set for yourself?

Donna: Yes, I started out reading Harlequins and am determined to write for them some day. Doesn't matter how many rejections I'll pile up, I'll keep trying.

Julie: What books are currently on your nightstand?

Donna: J.T. Schultz's The Bride Wore Boots, Jill Shavis's Get A Clue, and Karen Kelley's Cosmic Sex.

Julie: What's next for you?

Donna: Keeping my fingers crossed that the requested full novella I sent to Kensington garners a contract and if not, learn from the rejection and try again. Finish the Harlequin submission I intend to pitch at a conference this October. Plus, prepare to celebrate the August 22nd release of Fated Hearts, my second full length novel through The Wild Rose Press.

Thanks for the questions, Julie. I enjoyed myself. Have a great summer!

Donna Michaels is an author of Romaginative Fiction who lives in North Eastern PA with her husband, four children, and three rescued cats. A multi-published author of several genres in both E-book and Print, Donna has fourteen contracts and writes short stories, novellas, and novels with The Wild Rose Press and Forbidden Publications. Her short story, Ten Things I'd Do For A Cowboy was nominated Best E-Book Short Romance 2007 by LASR. Donna has been a member of Valley Forge RWA since 2005, and also belongs to the Scriptscene RWA and EPIC. 

Backlist:
Meet Your Mate, The Wild Rose Press
Thanks For Giving, The Wild Rose Press
Valentine's Day Do Over, The Wild Rose Press
Valentine's Day Do Over Part II: The Siblings, The Wild Rose Press
Negative Image, The Wild Rose Press
The Hunted, The Wild Rose Press
Ten Things I'd Do For A Cowboy, The Wild Rose Press
Holiday Spirit, The Wild Rose Press
The Truth About Daydreams, The Wild Rose Press
Rescued Heart, Forbidden Publications
Mayhem Minis, Forbidden Publications
Dr. Gnome: Book One Double O Fang Series, Forbidden Publications

Coming soon:
Fated Hearts, The Wild Rose Press
Legend of the Fourth Moon/The Mark of Goren, The Wild Rose Press

Links:
Website
MySpace
Youtube  
Blog
Yahoo Group  

Marie Rochelle

Julie: What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants, or a combination of both?

Marie: I usually use an outline. I seldom fly by the seat of my pants unless a character just hits me and I can't stop writing about them. I've only had two characters like that. One was Storm Hyde from Taken by Storm.

Julie: How much does reader reaction mean to you as an author?

Marie: I enjoy hearing my readers reaction whether it's good or bad. I want to know what they think about my writing and the characters that I bring to them. Their opinions help me become a better writer.

Julie: When you write, is atmosphere important? For example, do you use mood music or candles? Do you need complete quiet to concentrate?

Marie: It varies. Sometimes I listen to music and other days it's completely quiet. It all depends on the mood that I'm in.

Julie: Do you work on multiple projects at the same time?

Marie: Yes, I do work on multiple projects at the same time. My characters are always talking to me, so if I don't they will get upset with me. I'm always writing something down. J

Julie: Describe the space where you write.

Marie: I write all over the place. Since I write on a legal pad I can take it with me anywhere I go. So, if an idea or thought hits while I'm out at an appointment. I can pull it out and get the thought down while it's still fresh in my mind.

Julie: What do you do when you aren't writing? Any hobbies or special interests that you can tell us about?

Marie: When I'm not writing I love to curl up on the couch with a good book. Reading is a passion of mine.

Julie: Are there any absolutely-must-have characteristics for your heroes or heroines?

Marie: I love for my heroines to have some independence. It's great for them to be in love, but I don't want them to come off as clingy. My heroes have to be strong, but I like for them to understand when the heroine needs time to herself and not push her too much.

Julie: Dealing with writing deadlines can be a challenge. What do you do to cope with the stress?

Marie: I'm pretty lucky to not have too many deadlines issues, but when I do I try to stay focused on that one book until I get it done. I always try to leave some time for me to look over the book one last time before I send it in.

Julie: How involved do you typically get with regards to cover art for your books?

Marie: I try to get involved as much as I can. So far I have been very happy with all of my covers.

Julie: What's next for you?

Marie: I'm working on the next book in the Tycoon Club Series. I just finished the third book in The Men of CCD series called Tempting Turner. I have several ideas for some new books, but I haven't gotten them outlined yet. In addition, I'm excited about the print release of All the Fixin' on June 23rd and eBook release for the second book in the Drace series called A Taste of Love:Richard on June 30^th. Both are from Phaze. Lastly, I have another book coming out through Red Rose Publishing called Dangerous Bet:Troy's Revenge. It's the first installment of the Tycoon Club Series.

Marie Rochelle is a bestselling author and award winning author of interracial romances featuring black women and white men. Marie first started writing IR books about two and a half years ago and it has been nonstop for her ever since. Her first best selling IR romance was entitled Taken by Storm. Which she has just signed a contract for with Phaze. Her hero in the book Storm Hyde won the 2006 Choice hero from REC. 

Marie loves hearing from her fans. Please drop her an email at marierochelle2@yahoo.com

Backlist:
Beneath the Surface, Red Rose Publishing
Cover Model, Red Rose Publishing
Pamper Me, Red Rose Publishing
With All My Heart, Red Rose Publishing
Be With You, Red Rose Publishing
All the Fixin, Phaze
My Deepest Love: Zack, Phaze
Outlaw: Caught, Phaze
Special Delivery, Cobblestone Press

Coming soon:
Dangerous Bet: Troy's Revenge, Red Rose Publishing
A Taste of Love: Richard, Phaze
All the Fixin' print book, Phaze
The Men of CCD: Loving True, Phaze
Closer to you: Lee, Phaze
The Men of CCD: Slow Seduction: Phaze
Taken by Storm, Phaze

Links:
Website
Blog
Website
Authors Den
Yahoo Group

If you would like to request an interview, please send a query to info@allromanceebooks.com

Until next time!

Julie Cummings
Wildfire Interview Coordinator
All Romance eBooks

Drifts of Time by Robyn Wren
This story is rated 1 flame. Love scenes are not consummated, or if the love scenes are consummated details are not given.
 

Kaitlyn woke to her head pounding. What had happened? The last she remembered she'd been fishing out her grandmother's earring from the fountain in the park. It had been mid-day and the sun had been behind her. The water glistened like crystal. It was clear enough that she could see her earring. It was not but a foot away. Or so she'd thought. Yet the moment her hand had immersed into the cool liquid everything around her had spun.

Open your eyes Kaitlyn. You can't stay here. You must get up. There was urgency in the woman's voice. Kaitlyn's eyelids fluttered open to find darkness around her. Nothing around her made sense. Moments slipped by till her eyes began to adjust to the area. Trees crowded around her their leaves reaching out to grab hold of her. Kaitlyn's stomach churned with fear. Where was she?

Loud stomps echoed in front of her, shouts of men coming her way. Though she was lost Kaitlyn had a deep sense of dread at their incoming voices. Run was the only word she could think of. "Come on Kaitlyn, get up and get the hell out of here." Her voice felt raw but she had no time to think it over. Lifting, she moved out and to the left of the voices that still resounded in the darkness. Every step they got closer, her body shivered. 

She ran as fast as her feet could take her, the ground uneven beneath her feet. Roots and rocks jutted out to slow her progress. Too many times her leg was sliced with the edge of a limb. She wanted to shout into the darkness but held her tongue. Nothing was familiar. No lights or cars, they were all absent. All around her were trees, stars, the moon and the howling of animals from within the shadows.

The men were getting closer. How could she lose what she couldn't see? Kaitlyn kept moving to where she had no idea. Her only saving was the light of the moon from above to light her way. The sounds continued to increase. She had to find shelter somewhere or else meet up with the men who were headed her way. Just when she swore she was going to be found two hands grasped her waist pulling her down. Kaitlyn opened her mouth to scream but the same hands covered her lips. Had she fallen into a trap? Now more than ever she wished she was back home.

"Shh, before you get us killed. I have no desire to have a blade in my chest." The man's voice whispered in her ear. 

Kaitlyn struggled to get out of the man's grip but it didn't work. His arms held her tight. She needed to move, to breathe before he suffocated her with his hand. One thought ran through her mind though she feared doing it. Her need to breathe won out. His yelp and a quick intake of air her reward. Screaming for help was her first thought but the men nearby were more of a danger than the man she'd just bit.

The man pulled her further down to the ground. "That was uncalled for, not to mention it hurt like hell."

She hated being held against her will but at least she'd gotten her point across. "I had no choice. I couldn't breathe." By the lessening of his grip Kaitlyn was sure he wasn't intending to harm her. "Who are you?" If he was going to keep her down she wanted to at least know the man's name.

His body tensed under her inquiry. "Lorkin MoChor. Now hush till they are gone." Lorkin. It was an odd name for a man. She wanted to say more but felt it better to wait.

"Fine. My name is Kaitlyn. Now where am I and who are the men?" If there was anything she hated more it was the unknown and right now she was smack dab in the middle of anything but normal.

"I'll answer you when its safe, now is quiet."

"But…" Before she could say another word his lips covered hers. She wanted to protest but found the heat of his kiss mixing with the wildness of the area. Intoxicating, Kaitlyn found she couldn't concentrate on anything else. How much time passed she couldn't be sure, though the sound of the horses had begun to fade into the distance.

"Now where did you come from Kaitlyn and why are you running in the darkness?"

His question startled her back into reality. "I don't know. I'm not sure where here is." 

"Did you hit your head? How can you not know where you are?" There was a tease in his voice. "You are in the Forest of Shadows. It is not safe here. You are lucky the trackers didn't find you."

Trackers? Forest of Shadows? Was she dreaming? The calls of the forest were too real to be from a dream. "This isn't right. I shouldn't be here." Kaitlyn wanted to run, to get away from this forest that didn't belong here. Nothing was as it seemed.

Lorkin's hand held her arm as she rose. "You are not from here or you wouldn't seem so surprised. What has brought you to this place?" Innocent as his question was Kaitlyn had no way to answer it. "Let's go before they come back. There is safety near. We must hurry."

Kaitlyn stood to regain her balance but found her footing was off. Lorkin's hands never left her waist pulling into his embrace. "I don't think that is wise."

"Why not? We are alone and I can feel the pull. How can you not?" All around them the branches and bushes moved in unison to the wind. The air around them felt heavy, thick with the heat of the night. Yes she felt the pull between. How could she not? Still she didn't get involved with strangers. 

"I need to go." His arm tightened around her waist, his free hand lifting her chin to face him. Deep blue eyes stared at her in question.

"Where will you go?" Lorkin lifted her hand to his lips.

His innocent question struck heard against her chest. "Home." 

"There is no home for you, only darkness." A voice from the darkness echoed around them.

She turned to find the source but only red eyes peered from the darkness. "We go…now." Lorkin reached down and lifted Kaitlyn from the ground till she found herself facing the ground as his feet carried her far into the distance. She wanted to protest but from within the shadows behind them emerged a creature unlike anything she'd seen before. Suddenly the fact he'd taken action wasn't as bad as the thing that had found them. Fear was real as the nightmare she found herself in. With the passing of the forest she finally found the strength to open her mouth and allow the scream she'd held deep inside to release.

Where does one begin when it comes to the journey that is their life? Mine has spanned many places and many years. I was blessed to have lived in different states which have shaped me into the person I am today.

Currently I reside just outside of Austin, Texas. I have two amazing sons who keep me so busy it's almost insane! I spend as much time as I can with my boys when I'm not working or writing. Aside from that I enjoy my free time talking with my friends and researching all I can for my next wild adventure.

Writing has always been second nature to me and something that has always been a part of who I am. Never in the past could I have imagined my adventures would be out there for all to see, but now I cannot see keeping them from anyone. Not to mention my good friends over at Dark Series. Thanks to them, I began the journey of getting my very first novel Shadow of the Wolf written and thus published. And here we are.

Backlist:
Shadow of the Wolf, The Wild Rose Press
Kiss of The Wolf, The Wild Rose Press
Scottish Whispers, The Wild Rose Press

Coming Soon:
Dragon's Legacy: The Curse of Innok
Destiny's Light

Links:
Website